About Us
Nestled in New Hampshire’s picturesque Lakes Region, our farmhouse on three acres is home to the dogs who bring so much joy and purpose to our everyday lives. What began as two people meeting through a shared passion for exhibiting dogs has grown into a life built around them—one dedicated to raising beautiful, correct, healthy, and well-tempered English Toy Spaniels and Chinese Cresteds.
Accio! English Toy Spaniels is Meghann’s program, and Galleon Chinese Cresteds is Calan’s. While each program is independently focused on its own breed, our lives—and our dogs—are very much intertwined. We work side by side, support one another’s breeding goals, and frequently co-own dogs, sharing our knowledge, experiences, and successes along the way. Each program remains uniquely its own, while together they are an important part of the life we have built around our dogs.
Our breeding philosophy is centered on health, temperament, soundness, and preserving correct breed type, with our primary goal being to produce the next generation for our own programs. Litters are thoughtfully planned and limited, and we do not maintain an active wait list or advertise puppies as generally available. When opportunities arise, we prefer to work one-on-one with individuals who share our approach and understand that the right dog may require patience. When we do not have the right dog available, we are always happy to connect like-minded families with other breeders who share a commitment to health and responsible breeding.
Our dogs are our pets first and foremost and live in our home with us. Their comfort, safety, and well-being are an important part of our everyday life, from their dedicated accommodations and carefully managed routines to cameras and temperature monitoring throughout our home. We do not offer open visits to our property out of respect for our privacy and the health and safety of our dogs, but we welcome families into our home once they have been thoughtfully matched with a dog in our program.
Health is equally important to us. Our dogs are bred to their respective AKC standards and undergo extensive health testing, with results recorded through the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA). We proudly participate in the OFA CHIC program and continually strive to learn more and make responsible, informed decisions for the future of our breeds.
In the show ring, our dogs are always proudly owner-handled, and we have been fortunate to celebrate accomplishments including multiple Best in Show Owner-Handled wins, Best of Variety at Specialties, and placements at Westminster Kennel Club, the AKC National Championship in Orlando, and our National Specialties. While we treasure the ribbons, the greatest reward is sharing those moments with the dogs we love.
Our dogs travel with us whenever possible because they are, quite simply, our family. Whether at home, at a dog show, or on the road, their health and happiness remain at the center of everything we do.
Our story began with dogs, and they continue to be at the heart of our life together. For us, every dog is a treasure, every breeding is an investment in the future, and every day with them is a little bit of magic.
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We complete health testing in accordance with the recommendations of each breed’s parent club and the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA). We believe responsible breeding means using testing that is meaningful to the breed, rather than simply accumulating the largest number of genetic tests possible.
For English Toy Spaniels, our core testing includes an ACVO eye examination and cardiac evaluation. Patellar luxation testing is optional within the breed, but we frequently go beyond the minimum recommendations with additional patellar, BOAS, and breed-appropriate DNA testing.
For Chinese Cresteds, our health testing includes an ACVO eye examination, cardiac evaluation, patellar luxation evaluation, and comprehensive breed-appropriate DNA testing including prcd-PRA and RCD3-PRA .
We also believe it is important to understand that every breed has its own health considerations. A long list of DNA tests does not necessarily equal a more thoroughly health-tested dog. Claims such as “clear by parentage” or advertising hundreds of genetic tests can sound impressive, but many tests may have little or no relevance to the breed being produced. Our focus is on identifying and testing for conditions that are genuinely relevant to the health of our breeds.
Individual health results are available upon request, as not every completed test is necessarily submitted to the OFA database. Dogs listed with a CHIC number have their required health information submitted to OFA in accordance with the breed’s CHIC requirements.
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When we have puppies, they are few and far between, and we do not advertise individual puppies as “available.” Our breeding decisions are made first and foremost with the health, temperament, structure, and long-term future of the breed in mind, with each litter thoughtfully planned to benefit our own program.
That does not mean there is no opportunity to work with us. Quite the opposite—we love building relationships with fellow fanciers who share our passion for the breed and are willing to be patient as our plans develop.
We maintain a small list of individuals and families who are interested in potentially working together and keep them updated as future breedings are planned. If you are interested in becoming part of that conversation, please don't hesitate to reach out. We are always happy to talk with like-minded people who understand that the best things are worth waiting for.
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We thoughtfully match each puppy with the family or individual whose lifestyle, experience, and expectations best suit that puppy’s unique temperament and needs. Your preferences regarding temperament, activity level, and physical characteristics are always taken into consideration, but as the breeders, we reserve the final say in placement.
Because puppies develop significantly during their first weeks of life, families typically will not know which puppy will be theirs until the puppies are approximately 8 weeks old. Around 7 weeks, each puppy visits our veterinarian for an examination, and we evaluate the litter’s developing conformation and temperament before making final placement decisions. This process is also essential in determining which puppies may remain in our own program.
We do not breed simply to fulfill demand for companion puppies. Every litter is thoughtfully planned with the future of our program and the breed in mind, so we ask our families to be patient and trust the process as we take the time to determine where each puppy will thrive.
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We are incredibly grateful to the veterinarians who provide exceptional care and attention to our dogs. The individuals and practices listed below have become an invaluable part of our program, providing outstanding care ranging from routine wellness and preventative medicine to specialized and advanced veterinary services.
Your knowledge, dedication, and commitment to the health and well-being of our dogs are an essential part of their success, and we are truly grateful to have you as part of their team.
Northside Animal Hospital - General Wellness
Dr. Daniel Kelleher, DVM - Reproductive
Dr. Maryanne Mack, DVM - Reproductive & BOAS Testing
Dr. Anthony Alario, DVM, DAVCO - Ophthalmology
Dr. Maggie Green, DVM, DACVIM - Neurology
Dr. Michelle Powers, DVM,DACVS, CCRT, DACVSMR - Orthopedics
Dr. Nate Deering, DVM - Cardiology
Dr. Gretchen Ham, DVM - Chiropractic
Pride
The confidence that comes from knowing your dog has a thoughtfully planned history, a carefully considered future, and a foundation rooted in health, temperament, and purpose.
Predictability
Understanding the characteristics, temperament, and tendencies of our breeds because they are intentionally bred to a defined standard, rather than simply for popularity or appearance.
Purpose
Preserving the qualities that make English Toy Spaniels and Chinese Cresteds unique—including sound structure, appropriate temperament, and the traits that define each breed beyond what can be seen in the show ring.
Preservation
Protecting the future of both breeds through responsible, ethical breeding and a commitment to health, soundness, temperament, and the preservation of what makes an English Toy Spaniel an English Toy Spaniel and a Chinese Crested a Chinese Crested.
